The plants are growing...

   With all the rain we have had lately our plants we are trying to grow have done really well.  We are looking forward to our fresh tomatoes this summer!

Have you ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree?

The other night Spencer and I were watching a movie and I saw Tater Tot run across the porch.  Then I saw the mean black and white cat from across the street run across the porch as well.  That brought me to my feet. I went outside and called for Tater and Piper but no response.   He was no where to be found.  That's when you look UP!!  Yes, the black and white cat from across the street had treed my two cats. 

  This has happened to Piper twice before and every time Spencer claims he's not going up after them.  Well, I still consider them babies and it worries me.  Spencer knows this so he decided to go after them.  Piper decided she didn't want to be yanked out of the tree this time so she climbed down backwards about one foot  on the otherside and fell backwards. She probably fell a good 12 feet.   Luckily landing on her feet.  But aren't cats always supposed to land on their feet?  Tater Tot on the other hand was very scared and nervous.  You could see it in his eyes.  So....

(WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT AT HOME) Spencer put our  iron patio chair on top of the railing then, not only did he stand in the chair on top of the railing, but he stood on the armrests of the chair on top of the railing.   He was able to retrieve Tater Tot and then safely climbed down himself. 

This is just an idea of how far up they were from the ground.

  Piper and Tater were in the Y of the tree.  Crazy Cats!!!

Tater Tot

For those of you who have not seen Tater Tot since we brought him home in December, here is a recent photograph.  He is growing like a weed.

December

Now...

I Might Have a Green Thumb

I have been wanting to try my hand at growing plants for a while now.  I just sort of put it off because I didn't exactly know where to begin.  My mom told me she was going to grow tomato plants for the summer so I talked with my parents and Spencer and I have decided to grow our own plants.  I also found packets of seeds at Dollar Tree for $.10.  So I am trying to grow herbs too!  I am attempting to grow parsley, basil, chives, and cilantro.  We are hoping our tomato plants will produce quite a few tomatoes and we can use the cilantro and make homemade salsa. 

  In the coconut liner I am growing a smorgasbord of flowers from the $.10 packet I purchased at the Dollar Tree.  The two planters on the side contain chives and basil, and the three small planters contain cilantro and parsley. 

These are our four Talladega tomato plants purchased from Lowe's.  We were going to begin with seeds, but felt we had a late start.  These plants are supposed to grow very well in the Alabama heat.

This is the hosta I bought last year.  I have four of them.  I honestly thought I killed them off, however, after all of the rain this year I slowly began to see a little green coming back.  They were actually still in the plastic containers I bought them in.  So, yesterday on my day off Spencer and I went to Lowe's and purchased three new planters so I could transplant them. 

Anniversary Trip 2009 Part II

On Wednesday we decided we would travel 90 minutes to Asheville, NC and visit the Biltmore Estate.  Neither Spencer nor I had ever been there and were very curious at what we might find.  Check out our pictures:

Wow!  It is spectacular!!!  What a sight to see!

I had to have my picture made in front of it!

The front entrance. 

One of the many beautiful flowers grown in the conservatory on the ground of the Biltmore Estate. 

Spencer and I learned so much about Biltmore.  It was constructed in only six years.  George and Edith Vanderbilt were the owners.  It is still family owned.  The estate now has a winery which is located on the old dairy farm.  There is also an inn where you can stay for a weekend.  Spencer and I  plan to visit one weekend and take advantage of everything Biltmore has to offer.

  We spent our day touring the house.  We were able to view 67 of the 250 rooms.  The house has a total of 63 or 64 fireplaces.  Once we finished our tour which took about 2 and a half hours, we then toured the winery and enjoyed a late lunch at the bistro.  This day trip was definitely the highlight of our trip.  It was WONDERFUL!!!

Stay posted for our hike to Grotto Falls!

Anniversary Trip 2009

Spencer and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary March 19th.  In celebration we spent six nights in a cabin in Wear Valley, TN.  Wear Valley is located just outside of Pigeon Forge.  We had an absolute wonderful time.  Check out our adventures!

This is the sign located on the porch of our cabin.  If you notice, Senic is spelled incorrectly.  It is spelled correctly on the street sign, but someone forgot to put an extra c in there.  I guess this is where the teacher in me comes out. I tend to notice misspellings.

This is the front of our cabin.

  The kitchen and den.

The movie room downstairs.

One of the two master bedrooms.

The whirlpool bathtub.

  One of the two porches.  This one had the hot tub. 

I told Spencer while we were on our trip that I would like to go hiking.  He didn't want to go everyday, but he did agree to go.  Our first day there it was rainy so we visited the visitor's center and gathered our maps.  One map gave a complete list of the trails.  I reviewed this map and decided that I would like to do the Chimney Tops Trail.  It said it was 2 miles to the Chimney Tops.  I didn't think that sounded to far.  It also said it was "strenuous" but, I just figured they had to say that.  When I told Spencer we were going to do that trail he agreed.  I left off the information about it being "strenuous."  Check out our pictures:

Our goal.

Spencer geared up and ready for our hike.  On a side note, this time we took plenty of water and I did not take any makeup, Mom.

  I'm ready to conquer the Chimney Tops.

The view from the top.  Well, not the very top, but as far as I would go without falling.  I am actually pretty terrified of heights.  Spencer attempted to go to the very top, but it is strictly rock and straight up.  Also, there were a pretty good bit of people up there.  We had a picnic lunch and enjoyed the view.  I know you probably can't see it in the picture, but I am taking a picture of my car on the road down there.

The view.

This is the sign posted below the rock where we ate lunch.  Kind of freaky!

  Proof I was there!

Spencer on his way back to the trail.

  Spencer once we made it back to the car.  We were exhausted, but we did it.  Four miles round trip straight up!!!

Super excited it was over!  I am glad Spence pushed me to continue.  It was exhausting.

Stay tuned for our adventure to the Biltmore Estate!

What's Going on with the Roden's

Yes, I know.  It's been a while since I have updated my blog.  I have been somewhat busy.  Those of you who check my blog frequently I am going to try to get better about keeping you posted on what is going on. 

I am sure you are wondering what in the world could possibly keep her that busy.  Well, here's my list:

1. I have student teacher this semester.  It is actually work in itself.  It's not so bad, you just want to make sure you explain everything clearly and you do have to check over stuff, because if anything were to go wrong it would be in my hands.  Enough said.

2. I am tutoring after school.  Why I volunteered to do this again this year I am not sure.  It stinks.  I do not even teach a testing grade.  So, when I even consider doing it again next year, someone STOP ME!!!!

3. I have joined a weightless team at school and we exercise after school.  We walk, run, jog, do sprints.  It is working out nicely.  So far our team is in the lead.  We just have to keep working hard.

4. Life in general.  I come home and I am exhausted.  I just don't have the energy to blog.  But, like I said I am going to try a little harder. 

Next week Spencer and I are going away for our 4th anniversary.  Can you believe it has been four years?  I can't.  Spencer says he can, we've been together forever.  But, married, I cannot believe it has been four years.  We are going to Gatlinburg.  We do not plan on venturing out for the touristy things.  Instead, we are going to enjoy sleeping late, going hiking, and relaxing in the hot tub.  It should be a nice relaxing week.  I am sure I will have pictures to post from our trip.  Stay posted.

Lindsay